Nancy E. Langlois

Nancy Langlois was a vibrant and fun-loving woman whose fingerprints covered the world around her. Being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for her as she greatly impacted the lives of not only her own children, but the lives of several other young people as well. There were so many ways in which Nancy made everyday life extraordinary from her big breakfast spreads to the frequent gatherings she hosted for family and friends alike. Every time her family smells Nancys signature Ambush perfume, they will be forever thankful for having been given such a tender wife, mother, and grandmother to call their own. During a decade in which our nation was introduced to the Barbie doll, poodle skirts, and rock n roll, John and Agnes (Matson) DeWolfe were thrilled to welcome their daughter, Nancy, into their hearts and home on January 5, 1950. Nancy was born in Muskegon, Michigan, as the youngest of six children in her family. Her father worked at Continental Motors while her mother worked at Muskegon Piston Ring. Their family called the East Muskegon area home before moving to the Norton Shores area when Nancy was 11 years old. Nancy enjoyed an active childhood filled with roller skating, playing baseball, ice skating, camping with the family, swimming, water skiing, and just about any other outdoor activity, especially around Lake Michigan. When her brother was enrolling her for kindergarten, she asked for second shift because even from her earliest years, Nancy hated getting up early. There was rarely a dull moment around the DeWolfe family such as the time they were camping in the Upper Peninsula and a bear watching expedition became just a bit too real. Nancy and her brother John had gotten out of the car to get a closer look at a bear but when the bear got too close, their sister locked the car, leaving Nancy and John to fend for themselves outside! Nancy attended local schools including Muskegon Catholic High School. One fateful day a fellow student named Bob Langlois spotted the young Nancy and truth be told, he was instantly smitten with her. Bob wanted to ask her out, but was dating Nancys best friend at the time. After ending that relationship, he finally asked Nancy on a double date, and the couple went to see Cool Hand Luke. They dated for the following eight months and then became engaged. Just one month later, Nancy and Bob were married on October 13, 1969, at the local courthouse and from there, Bob went back to work. The newlyweds initially settled into an apartment in the Muskegon Heights area but less than a year later, they purchased their first home in the Norton Shores area. Bob worked for the family appliance business, Langlois Appliance, while Nancy worked for Kmart. Nancy and Bob enjoyed bowling and camping in their trailer on Diamond Lake where her parents had a place. After they were married for about a year and a half, their daughter Kris was born on January 4, 1971, just one day shy of Nancys 21st birthday. She was followed by their son Bobby in 1972, their daughter Jamie in 1974, and their son Billy in 1980. Nancy and Bob loved being parents, but were still able to get away without their children once in awhile to places such as England, Scotland, Jamaica, and Mexico. Nancy fully immersed herself into the lives of her children and became involved in Girl Scouts, cheerleading, youth football, the singing Christmas tree, and in so many other ways, too. She was one of those moms who was everywhere and served as a surrogate mom to so many other kids as well. On one occasion, her husband ended up unexpectedly being an umpire in one of their daughters games. When he called her out on a close play, Nancy would have no part of it and after yelling at her own husband, Bob had to throw her out of the game! The times their family spent together were such special times. They loved to go camping in their motor home that always seemed to break down in the most inconvenient times and places so they dubbed themselves the Griswolds. Nancy always put out the biggest breakfast spread while camping meals so tasty that they still linger on the familys taste buds as well as in their hearts. She was also famous for her French toast and brownies. Another memory the family will always treasure was the time Nancy was clocked at over 100 miles per hour while driving through Canada she had gotten a bit confused between miles per hour and kilometers per hour! While watching television one day, Nancy mentioned that she could not wait to become a grandmother. Her daughter Kris took that very moment to let her mother know that she was in fact, pregnant. Not surprisingly, Nancy was out shopping for baby stuff the very next day. Two months later her son Bobby and his girfriend announced that she was pregnant and since 1990, nine grandchildren have joined the family Nancy couldnt have been happier. The family was dealt a devastating blow when Bobby was killed in an automobile accident on January 9, 2005. Shortly after, their family felt the need to just get away, so they headed to Las Vegas where they were able to find their smiles once again. Through the years, Nancy enjoyed several different things. When her children were a bit older, she worked in the office for the family business. Nancy loved to entertain and always seemed to have people over. Bob even built Nancy an oven on wheels they called the redneck oven. She liked to follow the minor league hockey team from Muskegon, attending many of their games and following them in the fan club bus. Nancy also enjoyed University of Michigan sports, especially football. There was many a heated game in their home when Michigan played Notre Dame or Michigan State as the house quickly became divided. The Detroit Redwings were another one of Nancys favorite teams. Nancy Langlois was a selfless, loving woman who considered it her greatest privilege to care for her family. Although she was faced with several health challenges over the years, she never complained and cherished each day she was given. Nancy enjoyed many things throughout her life, but nothing compared to spending time with her family. She will be dearly missed. Nancy E. Langlois died Monday, June 14, 2010. Nancys family includes her husband, Robert; son, Billy Langlois; daughters, Kris (Rick) Krehn, Jamie (Mike) Proctor; grandchildren, Jesse, Marceedes, Robert, Alex, Michael, Tabitha, Nichole, Kyle, Logan; brothers, Bill (Pat) DeWolfe, Dick (Sandy) DeWolfe; sister, Kay Colvin; several aunts, uncles, nieces & nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; son, Bobby; brother, John; sister Joann & brother-in-law, Terry Colvin. Services will be held on Friday, June 18, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Fr. William Langlois officiating. Visit with Nancys family and friends on Thursday, 6-8 p.m. and Friday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Muskegon location Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the National Kidney Foundation.